Box on a Toboggan - Newton's Laws

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a toboggan and a block on a frictionless surface, where a horizontal force is applied to the block. Participants are trying to determine the accelerations of both the block and the toboggan, considering the coefficients of static and kinetic friction. The calculations for the force of static friction indicate that the block will move since the applied force exceeds the maximum static friction. Confusion arises regarding the reference frame for the accelerations, with some participants questioning whether the block moves relative to the ground or the toboggan. The conversation emphasizes the need to analyze the forces acting on both the block and the toboggan to find their respective accelerations accurately.
NKKM
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Homework Statement


HI,
I am confused about how to approach this question.

A 4.0 kg toboggan rests on a frictionless icy surface, and a 2.0 kg block rests on
top of the toboggan. The coefficient of static friction m
s between the block and the surface of the toboggan is 0.60, whereas the kinetic friction coefficient is 0.51. The block is pulled by a 30 N-horizontal force as shown. What are the magnitudes and directions of the resulting accelerations of the block and the toboggan?


Homework Equations



Fpull- Ffriction = Fnet = ma
Ffriction = uk X Fnormal
Fnormal = mg

The Attempt at a Solution



If I calculate the acceleration of the box as so: Fpull- Ffriction = Fnet = ma
using the kinetic friction coefficient and solve for acceleration. Does that make sense.. and how then do I approach the acceleration of the toboggan? Would it slide under the box?
 
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NKKM said:

Homework Statement


HI,
I am confused about how to approach this question.

A 4.0 kg toboggan rests on a frictionless icy surface, and a 2.0 kg block rests on
top of the toboggan. The coefficient of static friction m
s between the block and the surface of the toboggan is 0.60, whereas the kinetic friction coefficient is 0.51. The block is pulled by a 30 N-horizontal force as shown. What are the magnitudes and directions of the resulting accelerations of the block and the toboggan?


Homework Equations



Fpull- Ffriction = Fnet = ma
Ffriction = uk X Fnormal
Fnormal = mg

The Attempt at a Solution



If I calculate the acceleration of the box as so: Fpull- Ffriction = Fnet = ma
using the kinetic friction coefficient and solve for acceleration. Does that make sense.. and how then do I approach the acceleration of the toboggan? Would it slide under the box?
Yes, that makes sense, using the mass of the block for m, and your result is the acceleration of the block with respect to the ground. Now draw a free body diagram of the toboggan...what net force in the horizontal direction acts on the toboggan? Then use Newton 2 again for the he toboggan to determine its acceleration with respect to the ground.
 
Hello,
I'm working on this same problem. I calculated the force of static friction between the block and the toboggan: Fn*Us = (2 kg*9.8)(0.60) = 11.76 N, so it would seem to me that the box will move since this is less than the 30 N pulling on it. I'm confused with the fact that you're saying it moves "with respect to the ground", since it would seem to me that since this is less than the maximum static friction between the box and toboggan, that the box will be moving with respect to the toboggan. Is that incorrect?

I calculated the net force on the box to be Fpull-(FnUk) = ma. (30)-(2.0*9.8)(0.51) = 2.0(a) = 10.002 m/s^2, and you're saying that this is with respect to the ground? For the toboggan, do I use {Fx = 30N-0(since frictionless) = ma, with m being the mass of the block and toboggan combined? I'm having trouble figuring out how to approach this part.

Thanks so much!
 
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